SPRINGFIELD - The Right Rev. Douglas Fisher, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts, was among those in attendance over the weekend in Washington, D.C., for the historic installation of North Carolina Bishop Michael Curry as presiding bishop and primate of the Episcopal Church.

Fisher said he was both inspired by the service and confirmed in his confidence of Curry to lead the Church that, like many Christian churches, has seen closure of parishes and deep declines in attendance in recent years.

"As I prayed in the magnificent National Cathedral during a three-hour service which featured incredible music from many traditions and rituals old and new, I realized why Michael Curry is a great gift to our church and to the world. He has the ability to bring together the immense diversity of cultures in common worship and in common mission," said Fisher, who attended the service with his wife, the Rev. Elizabeth Fisher, rector of St. Thomas' Episcopal Church in Amenia, N.Y.

"We left ready to do God's work in this world and turn it from 'the nightmare it is for so many' into Jesus' dream of a world united and transformed by love. Michael Curry has the ability to touch the soul and he will inspire our Church to do the same. As he said in his sermon 'God's not done with this Church yet!'"

The 62-year-old Curry became the first person of color elected to that position on June 27 during the Church's General Convention in Salt Lake City. He was installed on Sunday, All Saints Day, in Washington National Cathedral. He was welcomed at the door of the cathedral, which is the seat of the presiding bishop, by Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, who was the first woman elected to the position in 2006.

"Michael's election is one more step in the on-going journey of racial justice and reconciliation," Fisher said.

"He frequently refers to Martin Luther King's invitation to create 'the beloved community.' And, as one writer put it, his election, like that of Barack Obama, is 'another blow to the 400 years of black slavery, legal segregation and institutional racism.'

With his installation, Curry becomes chief pastor of the Church's 2.1 million members in 17 countries and 108 dioceses. The nominating committee for the position had indicated the Church's 27th presiding bishop would need to be comfortable both with diversity and with division within the Church. The New York-based Episcopal Church is also the United States body of the Anglican Communion, which has 80 million members in more than 160 countries.

"Yes, there are divisions within the Episcopal Church. It is impossible to have two million people agreeing about everything. But Michael has been clear that the Church does not have one way of being followers of Jesus but many ways. He tells everyone who will listen that there is 'plenty good room' - quoting an African American hymn - for progressives and traditionalists," said Fisher of Curry, who, as presiding bishop represents the Episcopal Church to the Anglican Communion.

"There are also differences within the Anglican Communion. You asked how Michael might address those differences we have on some issues, such as same -sex marriage, with our brothers and sisters in Africa. Michael has been consistent in his answer to that question. He will work on building relationships. When relationships in Christ are strong, we can disagree with all love and respect and stay united in diversity of opinion."

Fisher called "one of the issues facing Bishop Curry is one which faces so many religious traditions: how to bring the faith to the streets. "

"The age of Christendom is over. We cannot make the same cultural assumption that people go to church. That era has passed and it might actually be a good thing. The followers of Jesus are called to lives transformed by the Gospel, to invite others to that profound transformation and to transform human society," said Fisher, who recently completed 170-mile pilgrimage of his diocese.

"That means being a missionary people - a people on the move as Michael so often preaches. 'God said to Abraham "go!" ' To Moses he said 'take the people and go!' Jesus said to the disciples 'go out to all the world!' This is why I walked those 175 miles through our diocese. It is a mission that takes imagination, creativity and endless hope. Michael will express this over and over again with his usual passion."

The House of Bishops elected Curry on the first ballot. He received 121 votes of a total 174 cast. The number of votes needed for election was 89. It was the first time the bishops had elected a presiding bishop on the first ballot. His election was confirmed an hour later by the House of Deputies, as outlined in the church's canons, by a vote of 800 to 12.

The convention also voted to allow religious weddings for same sex couples, beginning Nov. 29, the first Sunday of Advent.. Individual clergy may decline to officiate with bishops making other arrangements. Fisher has allowed such weddings since shortly after becoming bishop at the end of 2012.